In addition, Andy Martino of the Daily News says the Mets have not been engaged in contract discussions with Dickey’s agent since Wednesday – they have been completely focused on trade talks over the last couple of days.

Meanwhile, Bo McGinnis, the agent for R.A. Dickey, told Jim Bowden of ESPN they are not negotiating a contract extension with a new team at the moment, nor is there anything holding up a possible trade.

That said, CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman insists the Mets (and no team) would ever do a sign-and-trade, since it’s ‘bad form.’ In Heyman’s view, if the Mets give Dickey a contract extension, it will be to keep him.

Multiple reports have repeatedly stated the Mets are seeking at least two top prospects in a deal for Dickey.

“All signs point to the Mets trading Dickey,” Rosenthal said this morning, while also pointing out that there has been little progress between the Mets and Dickey on a contract extension.

Brian Erni

10:38 am: This offseason, we’ve seen some crazy stuff for starting pitching: Wil Myers and other prospects dealt for James Shields and Wade Davis; Joe Blanton (2 years, $14 million) and Jeremy Guthrie (3 years, $25 million); Anibal Sanchez getting five years and $80 million to re-up with the Tigers. That’s why I can’t see a scenario where Dickey’s situation isn’t a win-win for the Mets. Either they cash in a chip for hitters with high ceilings (the Mets desperately need), or they sign Dickey to an extension and get an ace-level pitcher at below-market value.